We turn to cosmetic dentists when our teeth need to look amazing but do you know that you can avoid paying for restorative and cosmetic dental services if you take good care of your oral health at home? When you practice good oral hygiene and follow your dentist’s advice you wouldn’t need any dental enhancement procedure to make your smile sparkle because it will naturally show.

Statistics reveal that more than half of the American population has succumbed to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss because of poor oral hygiene and unhealthy lifestyle habits. One might think that non-compliance only happens in children but apparently, even adults aren’t doing their part and because of their neglect, their teeth suffered the consequences. The band-aid solution is obviously to call a cosmetic dentist for help. And while cosmetic dentists can always restore your smile as close to natural as possible, you can avoid all the hassles and inconveniences by learning how to properly care for your teeth. When your teeth are healthy, you won’t need aggressive cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile. However, there are patients who have healthy smile but would still want to see a cosmetic dentist to change the color, shape or size of their teeth. That’s a different story but for now let’s focus on tips on how to keep your teeth healthy.

The following are helpful tips that will teach you how to care for your oral health:

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth daily is one of the cornerstones of a healthy mouth. You don’t brush once a week or twice a week because by then plaque would have already dominated on the surfaces of your teeth. The best way to keep plaque away is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. It’s also important to know how to properly brush your teeth because if you’re not following the right technique, plaque and bacteria may still thrive and wreak havoc in both your enamel and gum tissues. Remember, plaque is the main culprit for tooth decay and periodontal disease. During your dental visit, you can ask your dentist to show you how it’s done.

Dental Visits

Most of us think that visiting a dentist should only be done when something is wrong like when you’re suffering from tooth pain or when your tooth feels wobbly or when your gums are bleeding. According to the American Dental Association, you should see your dentist at least once every 6 months even if you feel fine. These dental checkups will give your dentist the opportunity to check your mouth for any signs of abnormality including decay, infection, swelling and even oral cancer. Besides examining your mouth, your dentist will also perform professional teeth cleanings to remove plaque and tartar that you missed. Your toothbrush won’t be able to reach all areas of your mouth, which is why dental cleanings are vital to keep your mouth plaque and tartar free.

Ditch The Soda

There are 2 reasons why people are slaves to sodas. One, they love the fizz and two, they love the sweet addictive taste. Unfortunately, these two are the reasons why you should stay away from them because the citric and phosphoric acid, which are responsible for the fizz will eat away your enamel. You can drink sodas occasionally but drinking them every day is a recipe for disaster.

Limit Your Intake of Sugary and Starchy Foods

Constant consumption of sugary and starchy foods will give oral bacteria something to feed on and as they release acids in your mouth your enamel will pay the price. To ensure that you don’t get tooth decay you must limit your sugar consumption and aim to practice proper oral hygiene ever day to stop plaque and tartar from forming.

Takeaway

No one else is responsible for your teeth but you. So if you don’t want to wear dentures or a dental bridge you should strive to care for your teeth. It’s never too late. See your dentist to have your teeth and gums examined and so you’ll know what else you can do to keep them healthy.